Do you believe the Pinto is a collectable now?

NO

Almost anything eventually becomes collectable, even items that were not particularly good when they were new. There are people who collect string, chewing gum wrappers and matchbook covers. The success of Ebay is living proof that there is a customer for almost everything. So yes. Somebody will inevitably collect Pinto?s. They are probably actively doing it right now. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

If history is any teacher, items that were very popular when they were new, eventually become sought after. It seems they strike a resonant chord with the generation that grew up with them when those people reach an age to have some disposable income. If you grew up in the back seat of your family?s Pinto and you yearn for a mental return to a more simple time, owning a Pinto might be in your future. If that?s your cup of tea, then fine. If you are gong to collect cars, you have to start somewhere. The Pinto wouldn't be my choice under any circumstance, but it might be yours.

Long time collectors will tell you that collecting quality will prove to be the better long-term investment. This is true of all collectables, not just cars. A genuine painting by Rembrandt is going to be a better investment than a ?Velvet Elvis? or the picture of the dogs playing poker. Of course, you may be able to afford the picture of Elvis, and don?t stand a chance of ever paying for fine artwork. That doesn?t mean you can?t appreciate it though. The same goes for cars.

CCCA is a club founded on quality. The cars we honor were exceptional in their day, and continue to be that way today. The Pinto is the 1970?s antithesis of what CCCA is all about. When new, they were intended to be compact and economical transportation, sold at a budget price. The fact that they tended to burst into flames when rear-ended did not enhance their status back in the 1970s. I can say without hesitation that they will never become CCCA Full Classics, but they will probably become collectable to some people. Of course, our friends at AACA recognize all vehicles that are 25 or more years old, so there is already a place for these cars.

Whatever you decide to collect, remember to do it because you love it. Collecting for speculative reasons is not a hobby. It's a business. To see what I?m talking about, be sure to read the article "What?s a Classic Worth" on the CCCA Web Page. It shares some great wisdom.

Chuck

I agree. IMHO one should never collect cars with a goal of making $. There are very few cars that when all costs are added in, and what one could have earned with that $ invested in Gov. bonds over the ownership period is factored in, are good investments. In addition if you love what you collect you collect it to enjoy it for as long as your standing and pass it on to your children so it's rarely a money maker. Any of you collectors who are going to Pebble stop by and say hello. I'll be there with my Ford MK-IV. (Not a CCCA "Classic" but a Classic none the less.)

While we're in a P.T Barnum frame of mind someone is offering a '72 Maverick on the AACA buy'n sell forum, completely restored with 130,000 miles.

Only $11,000.00

<img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

ACK! How nasty is that??? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Having worked for two Ford dealerships in the mid 70's in the parts department. I know some of the down falls of the Pinto. The first engines offered where 1600 cc engines made in England. These engines where and still are a piece of junk. The had problems with the camshafts as well as the valves. The 2000 cc engine that came after the 1600 cc engines where a little better but not much. The best engine was the models that came with the 2300 cc engines. Bottom line any Pinto with the first wo engines in isn't worth the time or money buying the are nothing biut JUNK.I know my comments are off topic for this group and this thread should be removed. D446 will you be at the Zipo affair at Watkins Glenn in September? My grandson and I go every year and have a heck of a good time. Two years ago at the Glenn the two of us got to see two Daytona coupes racing at the same time against some GT 40's. I told my grandson to remember that momnet as he might not never see it happen again

Packard 53.

I hope to be at Lime Rock that weekend. Next week will be an amazing get together. For the first time in history all the MK-IV's will be in one place (6 cars) as well as all the Ford LeMans winners. On Sat. those of us who still run will do laps. Besides me the Drivers will include Dan Gurney, Jacky Stewart, Carol Shelby, and Mario Andretti. This will be on Speed as well. (I'm not sure if it will be live)

Best

A Pinto that actually ran and looked good might be of interest at an AACA meet or Ford show. I've always wondered why we rarely see the "failures" - only the Edsel seems to have survived to become a car folks want to see and collect. A Pinto or Edsel will not ever be "Classic" but still are of interest to those who enjoy the history of the automobile. And in 100 years, any "running" auto from the 1960's will be worth a look. So go for it if it's your favorite car.

But if I was showing a Pinto, I'd sure have an extra large fire entinguisher nearby. Or park near the fire trucks!

EdA

EdA makes a very good point. Most old car clubs have some stated purpose, other than standing around, kicking tires, and generally having a good time. That stated purpose is generally ?preserving automotive history.? History isn?t always pretty. Not all cars were successful. Some were too expensive. Some were too cheap. Some were mechanical nightmares. A lot of them were downright ugly. Some weren?t even safe to drive.

Looking in a rear view mirror, these unsuccessful cars are a very interesting and important parts of our history. Their failures helped lead the way to better cars. If we are going to do as we say we do, and preserve automotive history, then there is definitely a place for cars like the Pinto. Of course, it won?t be in CCCA, but I hope that a few die-hards go to the trouble to preserve some good examples of these cars for us and for future generations to enjoy. In 50 years, somebody will wish you had.

Good question.

I would think if some old guy kept one in his garage

for 40 years barely using it,and keeping it in shape it

might be worth looking into.

You could add the Maverick and Pacer,Lark?

To collect something should go beyound $$$.

I know that this subject has nothing to do with discussing the classics, but here are something things I noticed with owning a car from the 60's. Most of the cars that are hot items are the muslce cars of the era. You see very little interest in the plain family sedan as a collector car. I own a 1966 Chevy Malibu 4 door model with a straight six cylinder with 44,000 miles unrestoed and in good condition. I have had alot of poeple say nice car but to bad its not a Super Sport with a V8 engine. Now when I go to a car show and a person askes me about the car, I always start out the conversation by saying that this car is a lot rarer than Super Sports which are a dime a dozen. Alot of poeple don't know what to say after I have told them this. If you like a car no matter what it is go for it. My Chevelle and Packard are certainly not classics but I consider them the CLASSICS OF MY HEART. To me the best two AMERICAN CLASSICS are the Packard 12's and the Marmon 16's

Well the one thing the Pinto has going for it is that it makes on heck of a race car. Ever been to a four cylinder car race? If it isn't a Pinto it's in last place, they steal the show.

I work up at the Mahoning Valley Speedway almost every saturday night. It's a 1/4 mile D shaped oval with some of the most furious racing I've ever seen. They race 4 cylinders, factory stock v-8s, modifieds, late modifieds, d.a. modifieds, karts, enduros, and (wishing I had my camera then for this one) vintage race cars. One of which I believe was a Packard.

Anyway getting back to the Pinto They are huge with the 4 cylinder class they handle great and can take a pounding out on the track (feul cells in them so no rear end explosions <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) and nothing seems to be able to give them a run for the money.

Their exreme unpopularity with the car collecting circuit and the extreme popularity with the racing circuit makes me think that the pinto will go the way of the dinosaur. Ever see a pinto lately on the street? I doubt it. Ever see a pinto in a junkyard? Only one thats been totaled and unusable in anyway, the decent ones in the yards are snached up by the racers. They have waiting lists at junkyards for these cars.

The Pinto is extremly rapidly becoming an endangered spiecies and this I believe will boost the rarity and collectability of the car but not by much. Their isn't many guys out there like you whom could learn to love a car like this and thankfully their is. Every motorized vehical in the world has its place in the world of collectables so if its the Pinto which floats your boat than so be it. Don't let the other idiots bring you down for the love of the pinto

SEE ATTACHMENT

P.S. snuk in a pic with my Ford F-450 streetsweeper in it. It's right below the two guys in yellow shirts in front of the pit shack <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />.

My machinist used to race modified Vegas that{according to him} used to blow Pintos off the track.

He still has one of his Vega racers that took many prizes in the '70's and '80's wonder what category such a car would fit into now?

Seems like AMC Gremlins are making a come back here in the Snatchville Tn. area. The local cruise in (usually about 75-125 cars every saturday nite) had 4 show up a week ago. One owned by the Lane Auto Museum gift shop manager. BUT, i kind'a got the feeling that the owners were basicly just 'fishing' in the 'collectible car' market. Been noticeing alot of that lately especialy by people that have no history of automotive related interests.

Unfortunatly, none of the local AMC afficianatoes have any interest in Pacers. I owned at least 4 gremlins back in the late 70's, a couple of rambler Classics and had a girlfiend with a Hornet. The Pacer was by far and away a very desireable car and still is.